Method and system for improving barcode scanner performance

ABSTRACT

A barcode scanner should output one scanned result per scanned item at checkout. Scanners with large scan areas and multiple scan lines may scan an item more than once as it is dragged through the scan area during the checkout process. A timeout period, during which duplicate scans are ignored, may prevent duplicate scans from being transmitted. Scanners with integrated weight scales may require the use of the scan area for a weight measurement. As a result, weighed items may linger in the scan area longer than the regular timeout period and may be re-scanned. The invention embraces a method and system for mitigating this problem by using information from the scanned barcode and information from the scale to affect how duplicate barcode scans are handled for items requiring a weight measurement and not adversely affected with speed of input as may result with gating and virtual gating with disable/enable scanning commands.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent ApplicationNo. 62/098,012 for a Method and System for Improving Barcode ScannerPerformance filed Dec. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to barcode scanners and, morespecifically, to a method and system to reduce unwanted barcode scansfor items that require a weight measurement.

BACKGROUND

A barcode scanner may scan a barcode repeatedly as a barcoded item isdragged across an in-counter scanner. This creates a dilemma: does aduplicate barcode scan belong to an item scanned twice, or is it from anew item? The tolerance for these errors (i.e., singulation errors) islow, as they are frustrating in a retail-checkout setting.

In-counter scanners typically have a large field of view and multiplescan lines to capture barcodes in a variety of positions. Small barcodelabels (e.g., Data-Bar barcodes found on fruits and vegetables),however, may not intersect well with the multiple scan lines. This factmay contribute to singulation errors.

To eliminate singulation errors, a scanner may ignore duplicate scansfrom the same barcode for some period (i.e., timeout period) after abarcode is first scanned. Timeout-periods work well in most scenariosbut may not be sufficient for items requiring a weight measurement(especially when small barcodes are used).

Weight measurements may be made using a scale integrated with a scanner(i.e., scanner/scale) so that weighed items remain in the scanner'sfield of view during a measurement. This weight measurement, however,may require a weighed item to remain in the scan area longer than thetimeout period. What is more, items with small barcodes may be easilypositioned so that their barcode is not visible to the scanner. As aresult, the timeout period may be allowed to expire as the item isweighed, and the barcode may be re-scanned as the item is removed fromthe scale. A need, therefore, exists for a method and system to improvea barcode-scanner's ability to minimize multiple scan errors for itemsweighed during checkout.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces acomputer-implemented method for ignoring duplicate barcode scans. Themethod includes the step of receiving an item's first barcode scan froma barcode scanner communicatively coupled with a computer. The methodalso includes the step of determining from the first barcode scan thescanned-item's type. Further, the method includes the step of initiatinga scale-timeout mode if the scanned-item's type requires a weightmeasurement. During the scale time-out mode, the method includes thestep of comparing a subsequent barcode scan to an ignore list stored ina computer-readable memory, and if the subsequent barcode scan matchesat least part of an item in the ignore list then it is ignored. For aslong as the scale is non-idle (i.e., active), the ignore list isretained. When the scale first indicates that it is idle, however,timeout periods begin for barcodes in the ignore list. When a timeoutperiod expires for a barcode, the barcode is removed from the ignorelist.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a computer-implementedmethod for ignoring multiple barcode scans of the same item. The methodincludes the step of receiving an item's first barcode scan from abarcode scanner communicatively coupled with a computer. The methodfurther includes the step of initiating a scale-timeout mode if thescanned-item's type is a variable-weight type. During the scale-timeoutmode, subsequent barcode scans are compared with the first barcode scan,and any subsequent barcode scans that match, at least part of, the firstbarcode scan are ignored.

In a possible embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the scalesignal is monitored continuously (or as rapidly as is practical) todetect a change in state. The scale-timeout mode continues as long atthe scale is active. While in the scale-timeout mode, a list of scannedbarcodes (i.e., ignore list) is maintained. When the scale becomes idle,a timeout-period is started and barcodes in the ignore list may beremoved as the timeout-period for each barcode expires.

In yet another aspect, the present invention embraces a scanner/scalesystem. The scanner/scale system includes a barcode scanner for scanningbarcodes of items within a field of view. The system also includes ascale for measuring the weight of items placed on a measurementplatform. The measurement platform is configured to position the itemswithin the barcode scanner's field of view. The system further includesa computing device with a processor that is communicatively coupled tothe barcode scanner and the scale. The processor can execute abarcode-ignore program stored on a computer readable memory that isaccessible to the computing device. The barcode-ignore programconfigures the processor to (i) receive a scanned barcode from thebarcode scanner, (ii) determine an item type from the scanned barcode,(iii) receive a scale signal from the scale, and (iv) use the item typeand the scale signal to adjust a timeout mode. The timeout mode,includes a timeout period during which repetitively scanned barcodes areignored.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a state diagram of an exemplary scale indicating theactive and idle scale conditions.

FIG. 2 depicts a block diagram of an exemplary scanner/scale system.

FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of the barcode-transmission logic used inscale-timeout mode.

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of an exemplary computer implemented methodfor ignoring duplicate barcode scans.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces a method and system to eliminateduplicate barcode scans of the same item during a weight measurement.The invention is directed towards scanner/scale systems with indiciareaders and weight scales integrated so an item occupies the same areaduring a weight measurement as it does during a barcode scan. Typically,such systems are further exemplified by in-counter scanner/scales soitems for purchase can be scanned and/or weighed conveniently, typicallyin a fluid motion from a loading belt to a bagging area.

Standardized barcode symbols printed on product packaging provide aneffective means to encode information about a product. Barcode scannersare devices that use optical methods to decode printed barcodes (e.g.,linear barcode, QR code, etc.). There are two broad categories ofbarcode scanners. One category uses imaging (typically with electroniccameras with or without a light source). Here, an image of a barcode istransmitted to a computer that processes the digital image to obtain(i.e., decode) the encoded barcode information. The other category ofscanner uses a light beam from a light source (e.g., laser diode) scansby traversing across the elements (i.e., bars and spaces) of the barcodeto produce amplitude-modulated reflected light. This light can be sensedand demodulated to derive an electronic signal corresponding to thebarcode. The electronic signal can then be processed by a processor todecode the barcode. Either the imaging scanner or the laser scanner maybe used successfully and in some systems both are employed to addversatility.

The majority of laser scanners in use today, particular in retailenvironments, employ lenses and moving (i.e., rotating or oscillating)mirrors and/or other optical elements to focus and direct/scan laserbeams to and from barcode symbols during scanning operations. Indemanding retail-scanning environments, it is common for such systems tohave both bottom and side-scanning windows to enable highly aggressivescanner performance, whereby the cashier need only drag a barcoded itempast these scanning windows for the barcode thereon to be automaticallyread with minimal assistance of the cashier or checkout personnel. Suchdual scanning window systems are typically referred to as “bioptical”laser scanning systems. These systems employ two sets of opticspositioned behind bottom and side-scanning windows integrated into thecheckout counter. Examples of polygon-based bioptical laser scanningsystems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,561,905 and 7,422,156, eachincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Laser based bioptical scanners are well suited for this invention. Theinvention, however, is not limited to these systems. The invention couldbe applied to single plane laser scanning systems or tosingle/multi-plane image/camera-based scanning systems as well.

Scanner/scale systems at a retail checkout allow for fast and easygathering of product information during check out. The barcodedinformation nominally represents item number of the Stock Keeping Unit(SKU) used for price look-up, however may also providestocking/purchasing systems information to assist a store owner withunderstanding the store's inventory and plan for future purchases. Whilequantity is typically implied by the packaging on which the barcode isprinted, bulk items without packaging (e.g., fruits and vegetables) mayhave barcodes as well (e.g., GS1 DataBar). Often a weight measurementfor these items is necessary to supplement the barcoded SKU to compute aprice. For these items, the integrated scale may be used to provide thisextra information. The scales are often integrated so the item isweighed with only a slight modification to the normal scan process.

To scan an item, a user positions the barcode within the scanner's fieldof view (e.g., scan line of a laser scanner or camera aperture for animager). The scanner's high scan rates and multiple fields-of-view helpease the positioning requirements for scanning. Positioning a barcodetowards a scan window will typically ensure a scan. Typically, this scanwindow is integrated into the checkout counter between an item feed beltor gathering area and the item take-away bagging area. A user typicallydrags an item to be scanned across the window as the user moves the iteminto the bagging area. The item is dragged with its barcode so that atleast one field of view “sees” the barcode.

Dragging items across the scan window may cause multiple scans since theitem is likely to encounter a scan from more than one scan line orcamera aperture, multiple scans from the same scan line or cameraaperture, or both. In these cases, a computer (e.g., as part of anautomatic input system) must process (e.g., using a processor) therepeated scans to prevent a single item from being output multipletimes. Configurable timeout periods based on optical inputs have beencommonly devised to block these duplicate scans. In gateless,triggerless scanning designs, these timeout periods may be based onoptical inputs to devices that continuously search for decodable data.

A timeout period is initiated after a barcode is read (i.e., scanned).After a first barcode scan, the barcode is added to an ignore liststored in a computer readable memory (e.g., hard drive, RAM, etc.)during the timeout period, subsequent scans are compared to the ignorelist contents. If a subsequent scan matches (at least part of) a barcodein the ignore list, then the subsequently scanned barcode is ignored ordeleted. The timeout period must expire before the same barcode can betransmitted again to the host device. Whenever a duplicate scan occurs,the timeout period may be restarted to ensure that barcode has left thescan area before allowing the same barcode to be transmitted.

As an example, suppose the scanner decodes and transmits a barcodeattached to a bunch of bananas that has just entered the scanner's fieldof view. The scan starts a timeout of 400 milliseconds (i.e., msec).Next, the same barcode is scanned and decoded (but not transmitted)several more times in rapid succession. Each time, the scanner resetsthe timeout to 400 msec and the banana barcode is kept in the ignorelist.

This short timeout (i.e., regular mode) eliminates most duplicate scansin normal situations, however may not be sufficient for items that alsorequire a weight measurement. Here, an item rests in the scan regionduring a weight measurement and the barcode may be coincidentallystationary in a region without an optically useful field of view. As theitem is weighed, the regular-mode timeout may expire. When the item isremoved from the scale, it may reencounter one or more scan lines/fieldsof view, and if the timeout has expired, these subsequent scans may betransmitted to the host device, resulting in errors. A different timeoutmode (i.e., scale-timeout mode) having different parameters forsingulation (e.g., different timeout periods, perpetual timeout periods,etc.) is desirable for items that require a weight measurement.

The duplicate scan problem for items requiring a weight measurement isrelated to the item's interaction with the scale (e.g., lingering in thescan area during a weight measurement with a barcode hidden from thescanner). After scanning a weighed item, examining the scale's conditionmay help to indicate the position of the object. This heuristic may beused to adjust a scale-timeout period or switch between modes ofoperation (e.g., regular mode vs. scale-timeout mode).

An integrated scale may use electrical or mechanical means to determinethe weight or mass of an item. Electronic scales for retail typicallyuse at least one strain gauge to create or adjust an electronic signalin proportion to an items weight. A host device (e.g., computing device)may receive this electronic signal directly (e.g., weight measurement)or may receive the weight reported with other scale status informationin a message sent via a communication protocol (e.g., scale-stabilitymessage).

For a scale integrated with in-counter barcode scanner, a scale signalevaluated over a period may provide a good estimate of the item'slocation. As shown in FIG. 1, the scale may occupy one of three states10,11,12. Two states 11,12 indicate that the scale is active 5 and onestate 10 indicates that the scale is idle (i.e., not active) 1. A scalesignal indicating that the scale is active 5 suggests that the item islikely to be in scan area. A scale signal indicating that the scale isidle 1 indicates that nothing is likely to be in the scan area. Thescale states may be defined by both the instantaneous weight and theweight change within some period. For example, if the scale indicates anon-zero weight and a stable weight (i.e., not changing as compared tosome threshold over a period) 11, then an item is most likely resting onthe scale. If the weight is unstable (i.e., changing over a period) 12then an item has likely either just been placed on the scale or has justbeen removed from the scale. In either case, the item may still be inthe scan area. If the scale indicates a stable, zero weight 10, however,the item is likely to be outside the scan area.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of an exemplary scanner/scale system withan integrated barcode scanner and scale. An item (e.g., a banana bunch)15 is placed on the scale's platter 18 (i.e., measurement platform) fora weight measurement. The banana bunch 15 and its barcode 16 are alsopositioned in the barcode scanner's field of view 17 when placed on themeasurement platform 18 for a weight measurement by the scale 19. Afirst barcode scan is captured by the barcode scanner and transmitted toa computing device 21 having an integrated processor 20. The scale 19sends a scale signal indicating an active scale 5 to the processor 20.The processor is running a barcode-ignore program 22 stored in acomputer readable memory 23. The barcode-ignore program configures theprocessor to reject any subsequent barcode scans that match the firstbarcode scan (i.e., scale-timeout mode).

The scale-timeout mode is illustrated in FIG. 3. Thebarcode-transmission logic illustrated in the flowchart demonstrates howa barcode is first evaluated for duplicates prior to its transmission.The scale-timeout mode is activated when a barcode indicates thatscanned-item's type is a type that requires a weight measurement.

During the scale-timeout mode 42, a decoded barcode is received 30 fromthe barcode scanner 24. The received barcode 30 is first compared to anignore list stored on a computer readable memory 23. If the receivedbarcode 30 is not found in the ignore list, then the barcode may beadded to the ignore list 33 and transmitted 34 without risk ofduplication. If the barcode matches an item in the ignore list, however,then the received barcode is ignored, deleted, or otherwise nottransmitted to another device 32.

Barcode rejection may occur when the received barcode matches anignore-list item completely. Alternatively, the received barcode maypartially match an ignore-list item. The threshold for rejection may beadjusted based on the application. Items in the ignore list may includepartially scanned barcodes, duplicate barcodes, and/or informationrelated to ignore list items (or derived from the ignore list items).Barcodes placed in the ignore list during a scale-timeout mode mayexpire (i.e., be removed from the list) after a period. This period maybe adjusted for the application to ensure there are no duplicate scans.Items in the ignore list may all have the same expiration conditions orcould have different expiration conditions based on some otherparameter, such as barcode type.

Ignore-list items may remain in the ignore list as long as the systemremains in the scale-timeout mode. The ignore-list's contents may beemptied at the end of the scale-timeout mode (when the scale becomesinactive). The items may be removed from the list all at once or eachmay be removed from the list after some timeout period has expired. Thistimeout period may be the same or different for each item in the listand may be adjustable based on the item type.

Alternatively, when the scale-timeout mode ends, the ignore listcontents may be transferred or reused. For example, the contents of theignore list may become the initial conditions for a similar barcodetransmission logic in a regular mode. The regular mode being a timeoutmode not involving the scale and having different ignore list parameters(e.g., timeout period).

Information about the barcode type and information from the scale maydetermine when the system, graphically depicted in FIG. 2, enters into(and exits from) a scale-time out mode. FIG. 4 depicts a flow chart fora computer-implemented method for ignoring duplicate barcode scans usinga scale timeout mode. This method may be part of a barcode-ignoresoftware program 22 stored on a computer readable memory 23 and executedby a processor 20 integrated in a computing device 21 that iscommunicatively couple to a barcode scanner 24 and a scale 19. Themethod starts by receiving a barcode 40 from a barcode scanner 24 (e.g.,a laser scanner or a barcode imager). The barcode is typically a linearbarcode but may be another type (e.g., QR code, stacked barcode, etc.).The barcode is typically printed and affixed to the item of interest butcould also be displayed and/or apart from the item of interest. Thebarcode may be received 40 as a decoded message or a signal thatrequires decoding. The decoded barcode message is analyzed to determinethe item's type 41. For example, an item is the type that requires aweight measurement as part of the checkout process (e.g., fruits,vegetables, etc.). If the barcode indicates that the item it isassociated with requires a weight measurement then the system entersinto a scale-timeout mode 42. In this mode, special care is taken toavoid duplicate scans of items requiring extra time in the scan areasfor a weight measurement. The details of the scale-time out mode areillustrated in FIG. 3. Scale-timeout mode continues until the scalebecomes idle.

The system monitors the scale to determine when the scale becomes idle43. When the scale becomes idle the items may be removed from the ignorelist after some timeout period. As such, a timeout period is started 44when the scale becomes inactive and allowed to expire before returningthe system to a regular mode 45.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporatesentirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patentapplication publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Thefigures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawnto scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in ageneric and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer implemented method for ignoringduplicate barcode scans during a weight measurement, the methodcomprising: receiving an item's first barcode scan from a barcodescanner communicatively coupled to a computer; determining from thefirst barcode scan the scanned-item's type; initiating a scale-timeoutmode if the scanned-item's type requires a weight measurement using ascale communicatively coupled to the computer; ignoring, while in thescale-timeout mode, a subsequent barcode scan if the subsequent barcodescan matches at least part of an item in an ignore list stored in acomputer-readable memory; and ending the scale-timeout mode if a scalesignal from the scale indicates that the scale is idle.
 2. The computerimplemented method according to claim 1, wherein the items on the ignorelist are removed from the list after a period of time.
 3. The computerimplemented method according to claim 1 comprising initiating a regularmode if either (i) the scale-timeout mode has ended or (ii) thescanned-item's type requires no weight measurement.
 4. The computerimplemented method according to claim 1, wherein the scale signalcomprises a weight measurement.
 5. The computer implemented methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the scale signal comprises ascale-stability message.
 6. The computer implemented method according toclaim 1, wherein the scale positions items within the barcode scanner'sfield of view during a weight measurement.
 7. The computer implementedmethod according to claim 1, wherein a point-of-sale system comprisesthe scale, the barcode scanner, and the computer.
 8. The computerimplemented method according to claim 1, wherein the ending thescale-timeout mode comprises starting a scale timeout period that mustexpire before ending the scale-timeout period.
 9. A computer implementedmethod for ignoring multiple barcode scans of the same item, the methodcomprising: receiving an item's first barcode scan from a barcodescanner communicatively coupled with a computer; determining from thefirst barcode scan the scanned-item's type; initiating a scale-timeoutperiod if the scanned-item's type is a variable-weight type; starting ascale-timeout mode wherein subsequent barcode scans are compared withthe first barcode scan and any subsequent barcode scans that match, atleast part of, the first barcode scan are ignored; obtaining, a scalesignal from a scale communicatively coupled to the computer; if thescale signal indicates that the scale is active, restarting thescale-timeout period and remaining in scale-timeout mode; and if thescale signal indicates that the scale is not active, ending thescale-timeout mode after a delay.
 10. The computer implemented methodaccording to claim 9, wherein the step of ending the scale-timeout modecomprises resetting scale-timeout mode settings.
 11. The computerimplemented method according to claim 10, wherein the scale-timeout modesettings comprise a list of scanned barcodes.
 12. The computerimplemented method according to claim 9 comprising initiating a regularmode if either (i) the scale-timeout mode has ended or (ii) thescanned-item's type is not a variable-weight type.
 13. The computerimplemented method according to claim 9, wherein the barcode scanner andthe scale are positioned respectively so the item rests within thebarcode scanner's field of view during a weight measurement.
 14. Thecomputer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein the scalesignal comprises a weight measurement and the scale signal indicatesthat the scale is active when (i) the weight measurement is stable and(ii) the weight measurement is greater than about zero.
 15. The computerimplemented method according to claim 9, wherein the scale signalcomprises a weight measurement and the scale signal indicates that thescale is active when the weight measurement is unstable.
 16. Thecomputer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein the scalesignal comprises a weight measurement and the scale signal indicatesthat the scale is not active when (i) the weight measurement is stableand (ii) the weight measurement is about zero.
 17. A scanner/scalesystem comprising: a barcode scanner for scanning barcodes of itemswithin a field of view; a scale for measuring the weight of items placedon a measurement platform, said measurement platform configured toposition the items within the barcode scanner's field of view; acomputing device having a processor communicatively coupled to thebarcode scanner and the scale, the processor capable of executing abarcode-ignore program stored on a computer readable memory, saidcomputer readable memory accessible to the computing device; whereinsaid barcode-ignore program configures the processor for (i) receiving ascanned barcode from the barcode scanner, (ii) determining an item typefrom the scanned barcode, (iii) receiving a scale signal from the scale,and (iv) using the item type and the scale signal to adjust ascale-timeout mode, wherein said scale-timeout mode comprises a timeoutperiod during which repetitively scanned barcodes are ignored.
 18. Thescanner/scale system according to claim 17, wherein the scale-timeoutmode adjustment comprises restarting the timeout period.
 19. Thescanner/scale system according to claim 17, wherein the scale-timeoutmode adjustment comprises ending the scale-timeout mode.